↠ ∞ stars ⭐️

I’ve read this book twice in the past 30 days.
So, let that set the mood for this review.

WTF THIS WAS BEAUTIFUL. Seriously, don’t let this happy, summery cover fool you—this book will take your emotions through the wringer, shattering you and putting you back together again. It was so sweet and heartwarming but heavy and gut-wrenching, all at the same time. And it was just as painfully beautiful the second time around.

First of all, I highly, highly recommend reading Part of Your World and Yours Truly before this, because there are a lot of Easter eggs and connections that hit so much stronger with prior knowledge of Abby’s other characters. I literally gasped at the beginning because of a name drop and was so excited to discover where the connection went!

Abby has such a talent for creating complex characters and making us fall for them. I was immediately invested in Justin and Emma, both individually and together. They are both likable and relatable characters. They are broken and flawed but honest, charming, and lovable in such complicated, human ways. I felt like I really knew them.

Throughout the story, my heart continuously broke for Emma. She is so kind and empathetic and deserves the whole world. I wanted to give her the biggest fucking hug known to man. The amount of RAGE I felt for her as more was revealed about her childhood was limitless. I loved seeing her heal and grow from her childhood trauma.

Justin is the epitome of “if he wanted to, he would.” Book boyfriend perfection. He is so thoughtful, patient, and caring. He had his own set of problems but was a rock for Emma when she didn’t even realize she needed it, as well as for his own family. I love him endlessly.

And Maddy is literally the most badass and fierce friend I’ve read in fiction to date. She loved Emma in all the ways that she needed: paying attention, giving tough love when necessary, knowing when space was needed but staying by her side through it all. Everyone, including myself, can learn something from Maddy about being a true friend.

MEGA SPOILERS

Spoiler

But fuck Amber. I was seething with rage at several points during this story because of her. I cannot fathom being so ridiculously selfish to do what she did to Emma her entire life. I am so so so glad that Amber did NOT get a redemption arc. She did not deserve one. The no-contact was the perfect closure, and I was so fucking happy to see Emma start her healing journey without her toxic, neglectful mother.

Spoiler

It was nice to see a reappearance of Neil too. I hated him back in POYW, but it was nice to see the growth in him. Do I forgive him for what he did to Alexis? Fuuuuck no. But there was growth and a level of acceptance in him that I really appreciated. The fact that he knew Amber and his house burning down were his karma lololol.

— end spoilers —

This story had so much depth, heartbreak, love, and growth. And as usual, Abby handles incredibly heavy topics in such a graceful way. That said, I think this is her darkest book to date, covering topics such as childhood neglect, unhealthy attachment styles, undiagnosed mental health issues, PTSD, anxiety, depression, family death, and incarceration of a family member.

And I loved it so much the first time that Libby had no problems twisting my arm to read it again when my audio hold was ready just days after I finished reading a physical copy (especially because Zachary Webber narrates Justin's POV) hahaha.

Oh, and this book contains some of my favorite quotes I've ever read!

Just for the Summer was absolute perfection in every way. It’s funny, cute, heartwarming, and deep. This book left me an absolute sobbing mess at the end. This is hands-down my new favorite Abby novel.

Go read it, okay?

More Abby Jimenez Reviews
⇢ Part of Your World
⇢ Yours Truly

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Quotes

“In a world where you can choose anger or empathy, always choose empathy.”
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“Maybe home isn’t a place. Maybe it’s a person.”
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“The love stories sold us the wrong thing. The best kind of love doesn’t happen on moonlit walks and romantic vacations. It happens in between the folds of everyday life.”
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“Sometimes the best way to show love or be kind to someone is to meet them where they are.”
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"You are not what happened to you. You are what you do next."
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“You're not asking too much," he said. "You were just asking the wrong person. Ask me instead.”
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“Unhealed trauma is a crack. And all the little hard things that trickle into it that would have rolled off someone else, settle. Then when life gets cold, that crack gets bigger, longer, deeper. It makes new breaks. You don’t know how broken she was or what she was trying to do to fill those cracks. Being broken is not an excuse for bad behavior, you still have to make good choices and do the right thing. But it can be the reason. And sometimes understanding the reason can be what helps you heal.”
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“Every fiber of my being had been fighting against it. It went against all the survival instincts that had kept me safe for the last twenty-eight years. My defenses fought the impulse without even letting me know there was a fight, the way your immune system knocks down infections you don’t even know you’ve been exposed to.”


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Check out my reviews on bookstagram

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5/8/24

re-read

Did I just read this twice in less than 30 days? Yes.
Was it just as amazing the second time? Also yes.

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4/18/24

I AM A SOBBING MESS